cut of one's jib

English

Etymology

From maritime traditions, alluding to the identification of far-off ships by the shape of their sails, as in the Naval Chronicles (1805) “From the cut of her sails an enemy.”

Noun

cut of one's jib (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic) A person's general appearance, manner, or style, or the implications thereof.
   • 1896, Robert Barr, A Woman Intervenes, ch. 8:

     I have seen that girl on the deck, and I like the cut of her jib. I like the way she walks. Her independence suits me.

   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses, Episode 16:

     Though a well preserved man of no little stamina, if a trifle prone to baldness, there was something spurious in the cut of his jib that suggested a jail delivery.

   • 2003, Ted Bell, Hawke: A Novel, ISBN 9780743466691, p. 278:

     "You don't like me much, do you?"

     "Let's just say I don't like the cut of your jib, Mr. Tate."